Hope -> Expectation -> Desperation -> Sadness

Hope: A belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one’s life. Hope implies a certain amount of perseverance — i.e., believing that a positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary.

Expectation: In the case of uncertainty, expectation is what is considered the most likely to happen. An expectation, which is a belief that is centered on the future, may or may not be realistic. A less advantageous result gives rise to the emotion of disappointment.

Desperation: A state in which all hope is lost or absent.

Sadness: A mood characterized by feelings of disadvantage and loss.

Aren’t these all related? As far as I think, anything first starts with hope, gradually our expectations increase, and when we come to know that it wouldn’t be possible, then desperation starts. Finally resulting in sadness.

From my previous post, you might have an idea of what my perspective of happiness is. Now I will tell you some secrets about how to be happy in whatever situation you’re in. I know many would be contradicting what I would be saying here. That’s how I have been living my life, and I am absolutely happy with it.

Well, sadness or sorrow is what everyone is afraid of. No one likes being sad, right? So why are people sad? It’s that people hope for something to happen, and ultimately when it doesn’t happen, they are disappointed.

For example:

1. After retirement, parents expect that their lovely children (for whom they have spent three-fourths of their life) would take care of them. But when it doesn’t happen, they feel “Is this what we are alive for?” (I am definitely going to take care of my parents; don’t get into wrong assumptions. It’s just an example.)

2. Before or after an exam, a student expects to score good grades. If he/she doesn’t get them, they go into a state of sadness.

3. A boy/girl before proposing to the person whom they love expects a positive answer. If it is not -> Sadness.

4. A couple expects everything good in his/her partner. Like respecting each other’s views and living together forever. But if something goes wrong and there is a breakup -> Again sadness.

5. You help others expecting that they would definitely do good in return. What if he/she does bad?

My question is: why do we have to expect something?

The root for sadness is hope and expectation. If we don’t expect from others, we would never be sad. I know it’s the ideal case of happiness. Everyone I argued with said, “How can you be idealistic? It’s impossible as a human.” It’s true that it is difficult to be idealistic, but at least one can try, right? My intention here is to just be prepared for everything. Life will not always be the way you expect. So before doing anything, just be mentally prepared for whatever it may be. If we achieved whatever we expected, then we would be the creators.

I am not saying that one is always bound with happiness. Unhappiness is what makes happiness more interesting and tastier. I am just trying to say there is always a positive side in everything. Life is a coin having heads (happiness) and tails (sorrow). I am just saying to make it a biased coin of happiness. Just be prepared for any result and see the positive side of it.

“Give your 100%, just don’t think about the result. The result is not always positive; just be prepared for everything.” (That’s the secret of happiness. Sorry, it’s no more a secret.)